第108章（1 / 2）

“How was it possible that such an idea should enter our brains? I felt a little uneasy—a little fearful of my sister's happiness with him in marriage,because I knew that his conduct had not been always quite right.My father and mother knew nothing of that;they only felt how imprudent a match it must be. Kitty then owned, with a very natural triumph on knowing more than the rest of us,that in Lydia's last letter she had prepared her for such a step.She had known,it seems,of their being in love with each other,many weeks.”

“But not before they went to Brighton?”

“No,I believe not.”

“And did Colonel Forster appear to think ill of Wickham himself?Does he know his real character?”

“I must confess that he did not speak so well of Wickham as he formerly did.He believed him to be imprudent and extravagant. And since this sad affair has taken place, it is said that he left Meryton greatly in debt;but I hope this may be false.”

“Oh,Jane,had we been less secret,had we told what we knew of him,this could not have happened!”

“Perhaps it would have been better,”replied her sister.

“But to expose the former faults of any person without knowing what their present feelings were,seemed unjustifiable.We acted with the best intentions.”

“Could Colonel Forster repeat the particulars of Lydia's note to his wife?”

“He brought it with him for us to see.”

Jane then took it from her pocket-book,and gave it to Elizabeth. These were the contents:

“MY DEAR HARRIET,